Indianapolis Opera announces new opera Star-Cross'd Lovers: The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet. This brand new work by Indiana composer Don Freund brings the story of Romeo and Juliet to life on stage. This "Page to Stage" production will be on November 29th at Auer Hall and on December 1st at The Basile Opera Center. This worksop is free with a suggested donation.

The production is a collaboration between Indianapolis Opera and IU Jacobs School of Music. The IU New Music Ensemble will provide the orchestral accompaniment. ​Star-Cross'd Lovers: The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet follows the iconic Shakespeare story. Indianapolis Opera is proud to be a part of this world premiere. Now, for the first time, Star-Cross'd Lovers lands where the story began, presenting the archetypal tale of Romeo and Juliet with the original Shakespeare text.

Freund intertwines beautiful, lyrical melodies in traditional American operatic style with innovative harmonies to create a musical landscape that is both classic and modern. Dance rhythms and lively percussion bring a taste of the Renaissance, while occasional dissonances and popular musical elements in the orchestra remind us that Star-Cross'd Lovers is a fresh, modern retelling of this ageless tale. Vocal lines are set in moderate tessituras, allowing for the clearest expression of the text without sacrificing beauty and lyricism.